Check in Markets Illegal - Expert

The Ministry of Economy and Industry (MEI), starting from the next morning after the administrative devaluation of the national currency, informs on the punishment of retail sale outlets, which were found to make "artificial increase in prices and consumer fraud." Experts believe that the actions of the agency are contrary to law.

The Chairman of the Center for Civic Initiatives Gubad Ibadoglu noted that any legal basis for the "crusade" against the retail outlets does not exist. "The laws of the AR "On antimonopoly activity" and "Consumer Protection" include no rules that allow the government’s regulatory bodies to conduct such monitoring of retail prices for the abuse. This rate is applicable only to those entities that have a dominant position in some types of goods.

The economist calls on the State Service for Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Protection under the MEP to suspend such confrontation with small and medium enterprises and to seek subjects who manipulate prices in the consumer market. It's enough to analyze the import, wholesale and retail prices for some goods. As the data of the State Customs Committee say, between imported and retail prices of many food products included in the consumer basket, there is a big difference.

Thus, experts agree that in order to stabilize prices in the consumer market, among other regulatory measures, pressure should be exerted on companies engaged in import and wholesale of goods, and not on retail sales facilities, which are already under pressure of tax bodies. -------08B